NFL Star Driving, Air Stunt Shows, Zip-Lines, General Lee, Skydivers, Five Major Races & More

The Whelen Air Show will be part of the Camping World RV Sales 301 weekend festivities at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Photo: Courtesy NHMS)

An NFL star driving the Toyota pace car; Gravity-defying air stunt shows; zip-line thrills; the General Lee from the “Dukes of Hazzard”; the world’s fastest drum solo; a 20-pound lobster named “Loudon;” a skydiving team; a record-celebration of the 200th anniversary of the National Anthem and – oh, by the way – five major NASCAR races.

Welcome to New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Camping World RV Sales 301 weekend.

“We’ve got a three-ring circus to beat this week,” joked Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of the speedway. “Fasten your seatbelts, we are ready to take you on a high-speed entertainment adventure this weekend.”

On track, this could be a drama-filled week that produces several different storylines. The Magic Mile boasts a rare streak in racing, with 12 different winners in the last 12 Sprint Cup races, the longest current streak on the NASCAR circuit. Friday is highlighted by group-style knockout qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the inaugural Whelen All-Star Shootout for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series. It’s the only other all-star event in NASCAR besides the Sprint All-Star race in Charlotte. On Saturday, one of four Nationwide drivers will win a $100,000 bonus in Loudon.

The weekend features the most diverse and exciting weekend of racing on the NASCAR schedule. It includes five major races, featuring four NASCAR series.

To compliment all the on-track action, speedway officials have beefed up the off-track entertainment experience for fans attending the largest sporting event in New England. Here’s a sample the “must see” action:

Recycled Percussion blows the lid of pre-race: The New Hampshire-born group features the world’s fastest drum solo, in a show that mixes music with high-flying acrobatics.

National Anthem 200th Anniversary: To mark this auspicious occasion, NHMS will celebrate a milestone of our country’s anthem by featuring Janine Stange, a young lady who plans to set a record for singing “The Star Spangled Banner” in every state in the US. The NHMS audience will be her biggest to date.

Patriot Games: New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman will trade his football helmet for a racing helmet when he drives the Toyota Pace Car to lead the field into the start of the Camping World RV Sales 301 on Sunday. Go fast. Turn left.

Look, Up in the Sky!!: Team Fastrax Skydiving Team, featuring veterans of the US military, will deliver the starting flag from above this weekend, in what is sure to be a show-stopping arrival. As will the Whelen Air Show, which will be featured in the skies on Friday, July 11 from 11:15-11:27 a.m., and Sunday, July 13 from 11:40-11:52 a.m. The single-engine, single-plane airshow will be piloted by Michael Goulion of Plymouth, Mass.

Stars in Your Eyes: On Friday, fans will witness something never seen before in New England racing when the best of the best in the NASCAR Whelen Modified National and Southern series gather in one place for an All-Star Shootout. 24 cars, representing previous winners and champions from the national and southern touring series along with the 2013 Sunoco Rookies of the Year for both tours will line up for a one-of a kind race with unique rules and a game show twist. It’s open-wheeled racing like no one has seen before.

Mac Is Back, For the First Time: Bay State driver Eddie MacDonald will get his first ever turn behind the wheel of a Sprint Cup car, when he suits up for Sunday’s Camping World RV Sales 301. MacDonald has won six times at NHMS in lower series. Now, he has a shot at the brass ring. And New England is cheering him on.

It’s A Breeeeeeeeeze: For the very first time, guests of New Hampshire Motor Speedway will have an opportunity to zip-line right on property. The inclined cable, which involves a suspended harness and pulley system, will be available for adventure goers and thrill-seekers behind the F.W. Webb Bath House all weekend long. Just don’t get in the wrong line if all you want is a shower.

Hazzard Lights: General Lee, the famous Dodge Charger driven by the Duke cousins in the television series, “The Dukes of Hazzard,” will be on display at the speedway.

New England tradition: The winner of this year’s Camping World RV Sales 301 will receive “Loudon the Lobster” from Makris Lobster & Steak House in Concord, N.H., a 20-pound crustacean caught off the coast of New Bedford, Mass.

“We’ll have parachute jumpers delivering the green flag to start the race,” said Gappens. “Our pre-race concert will feature a world speed record drum solo. And this weekend, we’ll see a 15-year old suit up to compete in one of our major races. He can’t even drive legally on the streets and this kid is faster than most adults at NHMS.”

Tickets are available for all three days of racing at NHMS. Ticket purchases can be made online at NHMS.com, by phone at 603-783-4931 or at any trackside ticket gate. A complete listing of activities and schedule of events is available at www.nhms.com.